Removable closure for containers.



F. W. ECKFELDT.

REMOVABLE CLOSURE FOR CONTAINERS.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 29. 1917.

l ,270, 2 3 6 Patented June 18, 1918.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FREDERICK W. ECKFELDT, OF NORRISTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO JOHN T. LEWIS & BROS. COMPANY, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

REMOVABLE OLOSURE FOR CONTAINERS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed January 29, 1917. Serial No. 145,069.

' gomery and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Removable Closures for Containers,

whereof the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

The invention relates to a removable closure or top for containers, and is especially adapted for containers used for paint, ink, lard, cement, chemicals, fertilizers, powders, soaps, explosives, bitumens, etc.

It is the object of my invention to provide a removable closure which does not necessitate any interior ledge or flange 'or other obstruction which would tend to hinder or clog the opening of the container when the closure is removed, and which provides, therefore, a full, free and unrestricted openmg.

A further object of the invention is to provide a closure in which all the clamping or fastening devices are securely connected to the closing element itself, so that they cannot become separated therefrom.

A still further object is to so arrange the clamping or fastening devices that no portions of them project within the container, or in any way comein contact with the con tents thereof.

These and further objects will in part be hereinafter more fully disclosed, and in part be obvious.

Referring to the drawings, Figure I, is a plan view of a container conveniently embodying my invention, part of the lid being shown in section.

Fig. II, is a view of the same, partly. in elevation and partly in section.

Figs. III, and IV, are detail views upon an enlarged scale showing one of the clamping devices.

he invention includes broadly a container having an annular flange extending around the opening thereof, but wholly exterior thereto. The opening is covered by a top or closure having an integral flange adapted to register with the flange on the container. A number of bolts are loosely mounted on this flange, and are free to turn and engage the flange on the container through slots formed therein. These bolts may also be turned so as to be released from their engagement with the container flange to permit the top to be put in place or removed.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, I have shown in Fig. II, a container 1, which is formed with an open end, so that the contents may be discharged from or placed in the container with the greatest ease possible. Around the open end of the container and flush with it, I provide an annular flange 2, which is formed whollypxterior thereto. In this flange are formed a pluralityof radial slots 4, spaced at appro-' priate intervals and adapted to enga e bolts or other clamping means as hereina er explained.

The closure proper consists of a top plate 7, which is preferably formed with a dished portion 8, which entirely fills the open-end of container 1, and a flange 9, which engages and registers with flange 2, of the container. In this flange 9, are formed a plurality of openings 10, (see Fi IV), equal in number to slots 4, and also adapted to register therewith. In each of the openings l0,rotatably rests an L-shaped bolt 12, which extends through the opening and carries a nut 13,

Patented June 18, 1918 on the threaded upper portion 14, by means j ket 16, which is provided with round holes,

adapted to register with openings 10, in top plate 7, is first placed on top plate 7 where it is held in place by bolts 12, which insure its being removed with the top plate and prevent its getting lost. Topplate 7 is then placed over the opening, so that bolts 12, come into registry withnotches 4. Lower portions 15, of bolts 12', are then turned outwardly in line with slots 4, as shown 1n Fig. III. In this position they will slip through the slots, and allow the top plate to sink into the container and bring t e two flanges into registry. By then turning bolts 12, to the position shown in Figs. T, and TT, the two flanges are locked together. This locking may be further secured by tightening bolts 12, by means of nuts 13. This may be done with any ordinary wrench and results in an absolutely tight joint.

The removal of the top is accomplished in a like manner. Nuts 18, are loosened smii oiently to permit bolts 12, to be turned, and the bolts are then turned outwardly as before, in which position the cover maybe lifted off and completely removed Trom the container.

T may also provide suitable handles 18, and 19, on top plate 7, and a vent or sampler 20, which may be closed" by any convenient stopper 21. This vent permits the air to escape when the cover is being put on, so that "the contents may completely till the container.

With this construction it will be seen that when the cover is removed, the open end of the container is entirely free from any obstruction, or flange or any sort which would prevent the contents of any portion thereof from being removed. This insures a quick, free and complete removal of'the entire contents and enables a thorough cleansing of the container. Furthermore, there are no clamping means attached to the container itself which might also tend to interfere with the removal of the contents, or become bent, or damaged during the removal or the use of the container. (in the other hand, bolts 12, are all securely held in placeon cover 7, by nuts 13, so that they cannot become separated therefrom or dill get lost or injured.

By mounting flange 2, wholly on the outside of the container, bolts '12, are prevented trom coming in contact with the contents at any time. This is particularly advantageous in the case of chemicals, which are often apt to have an injurious efl'e ct upon the bolts or other clamping means where they come in contact with them. Tn addition to this the fact of having the flange wholly on the outside prevents the openings through which the bolts pass, from communicating with the interior 'ot the container, which frequently results in leakage or injury to the contents.

Tt is obvious that my invention is not limited to the precise form shown, but may be modified in details of design or structure without departingfiom'the spirit thereof.

nav eee Having thus described my invention, T claim:

1. Tn a container having an unrestricted opening, the combination of an exterior flange surrounding said opening and provided with a plurality of slots; a flanged closure adapted to cover said opening, said closure flange being pierced by a plurality of openings, one of which is adapted to register with each oi the slots of the container flange; a plurality of ll-shaped bolts rotatably secured one within each opening of the closure flange, and adapted to pass through the slots in the container flange and engage the same when they are turned, and a nut on the upper end of each bolt to prevent its removal from the closure flange, and to provide means for tightening the bolt, whereby said closure is clamped to the container.

2. Tn a container having an unrestricted open end, the combination of a flange surrounding the 'same; a removable cover adapted to engage said flange and a plurality of bolts securely, but rotatably, mounted in said cover, each of said bolts having a bent portion at its lower end op-' eratively engaging the flange of the con tainer when turned inwardly and released therefrom when turned outwardly.

3. Tn a container having'an open end, the combination of a-surrounding flange wholly exterior thereto, and provided with a pluralityoi slots; a removable closure dished to'fit within said open end ;,a flange on said closure adapted to register with said container flange and provided with a plurality of openings adapted to register one wlth each of the slots of the container flange; a plurality of l.-shaped bolts, each having an upper portion passing through and held within one of the openings of the closure flange and also passing through the slot in registry therewith; the lower portion of each of said bolts being adapted to be turned into or out of engagement with the container flange on either side of the slot; and a nut on the upper end of each bolt, whereby said bolt may be tightened and the cover clamped to the container.

Tn testimony whereof, T have hereunto signed my name at Philadelph1a, Pennsylvania, this twenty-fifth day of January FREDERICK W. ECKFELDT. "Witnesses:

JAMES TT. BELL, E. L. lFnrrnnroN.

(ill) Till 

